The Complexity of Toilet Paper

What does it mean to choose the harder path when everyone around you is telling you to go another way? Mal Jones, Florida's first hip hop artist to be recognized as a Master Folk Artist, takes us on an incredible journey through loss, music, and finding one's authentic voice.

Having lost his parents and brother at an early age, Mal found himself facing a crossroads that would define his entire artistic journey. While mainstream hip hop culture often rewards artists who embrace violence, misogyny, and drug references, Mal deliberately chose a different direction. "It's ordained," he explains...

Grief doesn't come with an instruction manual. Neither does the aftermath of losing someone during your formative years. 

When hosts Phyllis, Mark, and Al gathered in-person, they discovered a profound connection they'd never discussed before—they all lost parents at young ages. This shared trauma became the foundation for a raw, vulnerable conversation about how early loss shapes our adult tendencies toward overthinking and complicating our lives.

Al shares losing his father at five created a lifelong pattern of perfectionism driven by fear of letting people down. Phyllis reveals how her mother's death when she was...

Ever found yourself paralyzed by indecision at a restaurant menu? Spent hours researching the "perfect" toaster you'll barely use? Welcome to the human condition of overcomplication – and you're definitely not alone.

The Complexity of Toilet Paper podcast dives into life's unnecessarily complicated moments with humor, vulnerability, and surprising wisdom. In this premiere episode, hosts Phyllis Martin, Mark Pollack, and Al Emerick reveal the personal journeys that brought them together and their shared mission to help listeners recognize when they're making life harder than it needs to be.

"I have overthought almost everything my entire life," Ph...

Ever found yourself staring at the wall of toilet paper options at the store, frozen by indecision? That's exactly the kind of everyday overthinking we're here to unravel.

"The Complexity of Toilet Paper" brings together three chronic overthinkers – Al Emerick, Mark Pollack, and Phyllis Martin – on a mission to help you find simplicity in an increasingly complicated world. After spending over a year planning this podcast (yes, we overthought it too!), we're excited to invite you into our metaphorical stall for conversations that combine practical wisdom with unexpected insights and a healthy dose of humor.

Al b...